Lady Gaga and Celine Dion at Olympia - Do they perform this Piaf classic as a duet?
For the eagerly anticipated opening ceremony of the Olympic Summer Games 2024 in Paris on Friday evening (26. July), new details have emerged. According to French journalists, it has now been confirmed what was previously speculated: Lady Gaga (38) and Céline Dion (56), who have both been spotted independently in the French capital, will open the Games with a joint performance. The choice of song is also reportedly set.
So, the duo will perform the Édith Piaf classic "La Vie en Rose" together. Lady Gaga is well-acquainted with the song, having sung her own version of it nearly ten years ago and recording it for the film drama "A Star Is Born" soundtrack in 2018.
A special moment for Céline Dion
Céline Dion’s (Dion's) participation would represent an emotional return to the international stage: The Canadian artist had withdrawn from public life in 2020 due to a Stiff-Person-Syndrome diagnosis (a rare autoimmune neurological disease), but has since emphasized her determination to return to the stage.
The French President Emmanuel Macron (46) recently spoke about this matter in a radio interview at Olympia. "I would be thrilled if she could be there for the opening ceremony," said the 46-year-old. He remained tight-lipped about whether he might already know the answer to this question: "I won't reveal what Thomas Pesquet [the leader of the opening ceremony, Anm. from the text], and his team have prepared." He did promise, however: "There's a surprise in store."
Numerous stars will be the final torchbearers
Before the Olympic Fire reaches its goal on Friday evening, numerous prominent hands will pass it on. Among the final torchbearers are the US stars Snoop Dogg (52) and Pharrell Williams (51), as well as their French music colleague MC Solaar (55) and the French actress Laetitia Casta (46).
Ms. Dion's participation in the duet with Lady Gaga at the Olympic Games is a significant milestone, given her absence from the international stage due to Stiff-Person-Syndrome. The duo will perform the iconic French song "La Vie en Rose" at Olympia, a venue where French President Emmanuel Macron has spoken about Celine Dion's potential involvement in the Games' opening ceremony. Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams, along with other prominent figures, will also be part of the torch relay leading up to the opening ceremony in Paris.
